NORTH Yorkshire Police are looking for volunteers to take up posts as Special Constables to help carry out a range of operational front line duties.

The force has opened a "recruitment window" over the next five weeks for people to apply. They say Specials have the same uniform and powers as regular paid officers, but work on a volunteer basis up to 16 hours a month.

The authority is keen to hear from people who want to be a Special alongside their existing careers, or who have retired or who may have entered a new chapter in their lives and need a new exciting challenge.

Special Chief Officer Sharron Moverly–Holmes, who has been a Special Constable for 30 years, said: "We are really keen for people to apply who think this is something they want to do for a long time, rather than a stepping stone or short term interest. If someone is settled in their career but feels they would benefit from a commitment outside of work, then we encourage them to explore the opportunity to apply.

"For anyone who has retired and wants to apply their skills and experience to an exciting challenge then this is definitely for you. I also believe that anyone who wants to broaden their social circle or improve their physical and mental health, could benefit from becoming a Special Constable.

"Being a Special is one of the most interesting, demanding, but rewarding volunteer roles you can do. Here at North Yorkshire Police, we really value our volunteers and recognise the positive impact their hard work and dedication has, not only on colleagues, but on the communities we serve."

Special Chief Officer Moverley-Holmes said the force has expanded the opportunities available so volunteers can get involved in specialist areas of policing which will expand their skills and give them the opportunity for further development.

The job description says Specials need to be resilient people with a real passion for serving the public, with life experience and customer service skills. They also need to have effective communication skills and strong working ethics and volunteers need to be prepared to commit spare time to an intensive training period. They are involved in carrying out a full range of operational, frontline duties.

Specials work alongside the authority's regular force which has up to 1,400 officers. Recruitment is open until July 31 with information available on northyorkshire.police.uk/jobs/special-constables/